Fraser and Fraser are delighted to announce the launch of their new service enabling Local Authorities to mitigate the costs to Council Tax payers of providing funerals under s.46 Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984. Under the Act, a Local Authority’s duty is to provide a funeral for any person who has died in their area where no other arrangements are being made – for example where nothing is known of the deceased’s family.

For many years, Fraser and Fraser has assisted Councils by locating next-of-kin where none was known. Almost always next-of-kin do exist and can be found and they then have the opportunity to attend the funeral and pay their respects. Where the deceased has left an estate, the Council will be reimbursed for providing the funeral under s.46 – if the family take on the funeral arrangements, the estate can reimburse them in the same way.